Once a sleepy fishing village, Cheung Chau has become a vibrant island with lively food stalls, restaurants and cafes. From artisanal cakes and pastries to traditional seafood feasts, leisurely island walks and a colonial mansion that's perfect for an epic Hong Kong staycation—if you're itching to get out of the city, Cheung Chau is a breath of fresh air
Valor
The devil’s in the details at this design-driven café. Ice drip coffee is the speciality here, in particular its coconut ice drip coffee served in an actual coconut. Valor also has rotating exhibitions featuring the works of local artists and photographers.
Valor, 4 San Hing Street, Cheung Chau, +852 6699 5892; facebook.com/valorcheungchau
Heima Heima
Pretty pastels and Scandinavian-inspired simplicity make for a serene escape at Heima Heima—Heima meaning "home" in Icelandic. The homemade cakes at this waterfront cafe are the stuff of Pinterest dreams, as they use seasonal ingredients to make picture-perfect treats such as earl grey and fig cake, lemon tarts and more.
Heima Heima, 25 Tsan Tuen Road, Cheung Chau, +852 6078 3417; facebook.com/heimaheimahk
New Baccarat Seafood Restaurant
A visit to Hong Kong’s outlying islands is never complete without a Cantonese-style seafood feast on the waterfront, and New Baccarat has been doing it right for the last 20 years. All of the favourites are here, from razor clams to mantis shrimp, whole crabs and fish, and ice cold beer to enjoy it with.
New Baccarat, 9A Pak She Praya Road, Cheung Chau, +852 2981 0606
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Yu Lok CC
Reminiscent of street stalls found in Japan's coastal towns, this cosy seafood shack serves a simple but ever-changing menu of seasonal speciality snacks and cold Japanese beer.
Yu Lok CC, 81B, Tai San Praya Street, Cheung Chau, +852 6017 2863
Gogi
There's something we just love about places that do one thing, and commit to doing it darn well. With Gogi—a delightful newcomer landed in Cheung Chau in late 2019—it's dumplings. While their traditional pork and chive dumplings are a mainstay, the menu changes daily featuring innovative flavours like salted egg yolk with pork, beef with shallots, curry potato, kimchi and more.
Gogi, 86 Tai San Praya Road, Cheung Chau, +852 5395 9328
Cheung Chau Bing Sutt
Traditional Hong Kong desserts get a modern makeover at this sweet little shop. Think almond milk sweet soup, colourful dough served with ice-cream, crushed peanuts and red beans, and the signature osmanthus sugar tricolour grass jelly.
Cheung Chau Bing Sutt, 19C Pak She Praya Road, Cheung Chau, +852 2981 2982; facebook.com/cheungchaubingsutt
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Eat all the street food
While there are some great restaurants and cafes around, the charm of Cheung Chau is its endless row of street food vendors. Iconic island snacks include giant fishballs, frozen fruit slices, red bean pastries, mochi filled with fresh mango and Japanese style Taiyaki waffles. You'll find these vendors in the square across from the ferry pier, as well as along Tai San Praya Road.
Island Workbench
This charming store celebrates Cheung Chau's local artisans, selling everything from jewellery, bags, stationary and accessories—including tote bags made from recycled fishing nets. It's also a cafe that serves beautiful cakes and pastries, fluffy omelettes, bento boxes and quality coffee and tea.
Island Workbench, 2 Sun Hing Back St, Cheung Chau, +852 5480 6627; facebook.com/island.workbench
Explore the coastline
There's a leisurely path that wraps around the Cheung Chau's coastline, weaving through otherworldly geo rock formations and providing stunning sea views. It's well-paved, totally family-friendly and a great way to work up an appetite for all of the good food on the island. Just follow the signs pointing towards Cheung Po Tsai Cave (otherwise known as Pirate's Cave).
See also: Neighbourhood Guide: Where To Eat And Drink In Soho, Hong Kong
Rent a bike
Explore carless Cheung Chau as the locals do—by bike. Rental shops are everywhere along the pier, and you can rent a standard bike or one of the island's iconic "tricycles"—a kind of rickshaw that's ideal if you have young children in tow.
Stay at this Airbnb mansion
Living the island life is all about taking it slow. So rather than rushing back to reality, make a staycation out of your Cheung Chau trip. This gorgeous colonial style building listed on Airbnb is a secluded haven surrounded by Cheung Chau’s quaint hills and villages, overlooking cliffs to the South East of the island. It has plenty of outdoor space, including a garden, rooftop and a large deck complete with sun loungers, a dining space and a jacuzzi.
See also: 5 Luxe Hong Kong Airbnb Properties For A Staycation Out Of The City
